When you’re thinking of creating a HMO (Houses of Multiple Occupation), then you need to think very carefully about your kitchen.
You could have as few as five people sharing it right up to ten or more – depending on the size of your HMO!
Its essential that you have enough space for everybody to cook in comfort and here’s some guidelines that I’d recommend (outside of any essential guidelines required by HMO’s that are licenced):
- a double oven is essential – tenants often cook at the same times
- you need at least a four plate hob – anything less won’t really do
- you should provide a combination microwave oven so if your tenants decide not to cook microwave food, they can use another oven
- you need at least one fridge per three people (any more is fool-hardy both for your electric bill and for pandering to people; you can get a lot of ready-meals in a fridge drawer)
- you should really aim to provide a dish washer as it means that dishes do get washed and its a lot easier and probably more economical than washing by hand
- you should aim to have a big enough kitchen to have a table and chairs in to seat at least 2/3 of your tenants
- every tenant needs their own cupboard to store their food
- provide all the pots, pans, crockery, glasses, cutlery, tableware etc – it saves so much hassle and arguments over who owns what!
- try to provide one WOW factor in every kitchen. For instance, we have a beautiful coffee machine in one, a large picture in another, a fantastic view from another – you get the picture
- provide all instruction booklets in a drawer thats easy to hand
- make sure you have fire blankets and fire extinquishers
- make sure you have your management noticeboard in the kitchen as everyone will read any notices you put on whilst they are cooking
At the very least, step into that kitchen and imagine yourself living there and make it a nice place for your tenant to live in.